LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS TRACK MILLIONS IN U.S.

ACLU reports data retention, sharing by police at issue

Maryland officials have defended their program, which collects data from departments across the state in a fusion center, which shares intelligence among federal, state and local agencies. In a recent three-month period, state officials said, license-plate readers contributed to 860 serious traffic citations and the apprehension of 180 people for crimes including stolen autos or license plates.

The center deletes the data one year after they are collected, in what officials said was a compromise between investigative needs and privacy rights.

“We don’t want to retain more information … than is necessary,” said Harvey Eisenberg, an assistant U.S. attorney who oversees Maryland’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council. “You strike the balance, because people are legitimately concerned.”

The license-plate readers are also widely used in Washington and the Virginia suburbs, where they are mounted on many of the major roadways entering and exiting the city.

A District of Columbia police spokeswoman did not immediately comment on the ACLU report.

Private companies also are using license-plate-reading technology to build databases, typically to help in repossessing cars.